MacKenzie, Sauer, Snell, Ta’amu Selected at 2026 NHL Entry Draft
Edmonton, Alta. – Day two of the 2026 NHL Draft saw four Edmonton Oil Kings hear their names called.
It all started in round three as defenceman Ethan MacKenzie was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the 69th overall selection. MacKenzie becomes the first Oil King to be drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in team history, but he does join Oil Kings alumnus Miroslav Holinka who was drafted in 2024 before joining Edmonton for the 2024/2025 season. MacKenzie had a career year this season, scoring 22 goals and 36 assists for 58 points in 59 games. The Peachland, B.C. product also helped Canada win bronze at the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championships where he had five points in seven games.
The boy is a bud! #LeafsForever🍁
Defenceman Ethan MacKenzie has been selected 69th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft to the Toronto Maple Leafs! 👑 pic.twitter.com/Z0wwDLUpQv
— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) June 27, 2026
Then, in round five, one of the newest members of the Oil Kings, KJ Sauer was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers with the 136th overall selection. The late-2007-born forward played for Andover High School in Minnesota last season and had 25 points in 15 games. Sauer also had five points in five regular season games with Lincoln in the USHL along with one goal in eight playoff games. The Andover, MN, USA product was acquired from the Penticton Vees and subsequently signed by the Oil Kings. Sauer father Kent was drafted into the NHL by Nashville in 1998, while his Uncles Kurt and Michael were drafted by Colordao (2000), and New York (2005) respectively.
Flying to Philly! 🟠
Forward KJ Sauer has been selected 136th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers! 👑 pic.twitter.com/TzdEAXzo5S
— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) June 27, 2026
Just a few picks later, Oil Kings netminder Parker Snell was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the 142nd Overall selection. Snell was 21-9-1 in the regular season with a 2.74 goals-against-average and a .895 save percentage with three shutouts. He would go on to sport a .924 save percentage and a 2.22 goals-against-average in the playoffs in four games going 2-1-1. Snell becomes the second Oil King to be drafted by the Blue Jackets, joining Trey Fix-Wolansky in 2018. He is the fourth Oil Kings netminder to be drafted to the NHL.
Snell ya in Columbus! 🥅
Goltender Parker Snell has been selected 142nd overall in the 2026 #NHLDraft by the Columbus Blue Jackets! 👑 pic.twitter.com/EJFGGrtqPi
— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) June 27, 2026
Later in the day, the Winnipeg Jets selected Oil Kings defenceman Noa Ta’amu with the 199th overall selection, a seventh-round pick. In his second WHL season, Ta’amu had 12 points in 61 games for the Oil Kings and was a +29 in the regular season. He added one goal in seven playoff games. Ta’amu becomes the first player of Samoan descent to be drafted into the NHL, and the first Oil King to be drafted by the Winnipeg Jets.
True north here he comes! ✈️
Defenceman Noa Ta'amu has been selected 199th overall in the 2026 #NHLDraft by the Winnipeg Jets! 👑 pic.twitter.com/5QeORmEQ3J
— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) June 27, 2026
A total of 30 players have now been drafted out of the Edmonton Oil Kings program in the modern era, dating back to 2007.
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